Sign up to receive free email alerts when patent applications with chosen keywords are publishedSIGN UP

Abstract:

There is described a controller, for example, for a game. The controller
comprises a controller body, first and second limbs extending from the
controller body, a sensor array, and an output. The first and second
limbs define respective first and second axes, and the limbs are each
rotatable about their respective axis. The sensor array comprises at
least one sensor arranged to sense relative positions of the limbs in
relation to the controller body, and the output is arranged to provide a
signal which varies in dependence upon the sensed relative positions.
There is also described game playing equipment comprising such a
controller.

Claims:

1. A controller, for example, for a game, comprising:a controller
body;first and second limbs extending from the controller body and
defining respective first and second axes, the limbs each being rotatable
about their respective axis;a sensor array comprising at least one sensor
arranged to sense relative positions of the limbs in relation to the
controller body; andan output arranged to provide a signal which varies
in dependence upon the sensed relative positions.

2. The controller of claim 1 in which:the first and second limbs cooperate
with the controller body to define respective first and second pivot
points; andthe limbs are each pivotable about their respective pivot
point.

3. The controller of claim 1 in which:the sensor array is arranged to
sense rates of change of the relative positions of the limbs; andthe
output is arranged to provide a signal which varies in dependence upon
the sensed rates of change.

4. The controller of claim 2 in which at least one limb is pivotable about
its respective pivot point in two orthogonal directions.

5. The controller of claim 1 in which the sensor array is arranged to
sense a rotational position of at least one limb about its respective
axis.

6. The controller of claim 2 in which the sensor array is arranged to
sense a pivotal position of at least one limb about its respective pivot
point.

7. The controller of claim 1 in which a range of relative positions of the
limbs in relation to the controller body is limited.

8. The controller of claim 7 in which the sensor array is arranged to
sense when at least one limb is moved to a full extent in a specified
direction in relation to the controller body.

9. The controller of claim 1 in which the sensor array is arranged to
sense how far at least one limb is moved in a specified direction in
relation to the controller body.

10. The controller of claim 1 in which the limbs of the controller are
biased towards a null position.

11. The controller of claim 10 in which the null position comprises:the
limbs extending in substantially the same direction from the controller
body; andthe limbs each extending substantially orthogonally from the
controller body.

12. The controller of claim 1 in which the controller body comprises first
and second body members, the first limb extending from the first body
member, and the second limb extending from the second body member.

13. The controller of claim 12 in which the sensor array is arranged to
sense relative positions of the limbs in relation to the body members
from which they extend.

14. The controller of claim 12 in which:the body members are able to move
relative to one another; andthe sensor array is arranged to sense a
relative position of the body members in relation to one another.

15. The controller of claim 14 in which:the body members are able to
rotate relative to one another; andthe sensor array is arranged to sense
a rotational position of the body members relative to one another.

16. The controller of claim 14 in which:the body members define a common
axis;the body members are able to rotate about the common axis relative
to one another; andthe sensor array is arranged to sense a rotational
position of the body members relative to one another.

17. The controller of claim 14 in which:the body members define a common
axis;the body members are able to move axially along the common axis
relative to one another; andthe sensor array is arranged to sense an
axial position of the body members relative to one another.

18. The controller of claim 17 in which the body members are
telescopically disposed along the common axis.

19. The controller of claim 14 in which a range of relative positions of
the body members in relation to one another is limited.

20. The controller of claim 19 in which the sensor array is arranged to
sense when the body members are moved to a full extent in a specified
direction in relation to one another.

21. The controller of claim 14 in which the sensor array is arranged to
sense how far the body members are moved in a specified direction in
relation to one another.

22. The controller of claim 12 in which the body members of the controller
are biased towards a null position.

23. (canceled)

24. (canceled)

25. The controller of claim 1 in which:the controller further comprises at
least one additional controlling means;the sensor array is arranged to
sense a state of the at least one controlling means; andthe output is
arranged to provide a signal which varies in dependence upon the sensed
state of the at least one controlling means.

26. The controller of claim 25 in which the controlling means is selected
from a group consisting of a button, a switch, a joystick, and a
mousepad.

27. Game playing equipment including a game controller comprising:a
controller body;first and second limbs extending from the controller body
to define respective first and second axes, the limbs each being
rotatable about their respective axis;a sensor array comprising at least
one sensor arranged to sense relative positions of the limbs in relation
to the controller body; andan output arranged to provide a signal which
varies in dependence upon the sensed relative positions.

28. (canceled)

Description:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001]The present invention relates to a controller, for example, for a
game, and to game playing equipment comprising such a game controller.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002]A variety of game controllers are available to enable players to
control computer games, arcade games, console games, and the like. For
example, a conventional computer keyboard may be used to control many
games. Alternatively, a variety of joysticks are available to control
game movements and actions. Some conventional game controllers include
two joysticks to be manipulated by a player's thumbs in order to control
game movements. There are also available more specific game controllers,
such as steering wheel controllers for steering in driving games, and gun
controllers for aiming and shooting in shooting games. All such game
controllers may be provided with one or more buttons which may be pressed
by the player to perform a specified action (e.g. shooting or jumping)
within the game.

[0003]However, there are limitations on the movements a player may make
using the presently available game controllers. The present invention
seeks to address this and other such problems with the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004]According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a controller comprising: a controller body; first and second
limbs extending from the controller body to define respective first and
second axes, the limbs each being rotatable about their respective axis;
a sensor array comprising at least one sensor arranged to sense relative
positions of the limbs in relation to the controller body; and an output
arranged to provide a signal which varies in dependence upon the sensed
relative positions.

[0005]According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is
provided game playing equipment including a controller comprising: a
controller body; first and second limbs extending from the controller
body to define respective first and second axes, the limbs each being
rotatable about their respective axis; a sensor array comprising at least
one sensor arranged to sense relative positions of the limbs in relation
to the controller body; and an output arranged to provide a signal which
varies in dependence upon the sensed relative positions.

[0006]Preferably, the first and second limbs cooperate with the controller
body to define respective first and second pivot points, and the limbs
are each pivotable about their respective pivot point.

[0007]Thus, a game controller in accordance with the present invention
offers a player a wider range of more versatile movements than
conventional game controllers.

[0008]In a preferred embodiment, the sensor array is arranged to sense
rates of change of the relative positions of the limbs; and the output is
arranged to provide a signal which varies in dependence upon the sensed
rates of change. Thus, the controller may provide an even wider range of
types of movement.

[0009]Advantageously, the limbs are biased towards a null position. More
advantageously, the null position comprises the limbs extending in
substantially the same direction from the controller body, and the limbs
each extending substantially orthogonally from the controller body.

[0010]In a preferred embodiment, the controller body comprises first and
second body members, the first limb extending from the first body member,
the second limb extending from the second body member, and the sensor
array is arranged to sense relative positions of the limbs in relation to
the body members from which they extend.

[0011]More preferably, the body members are able to move relative to one
another, and the sensor array is arranged to sense a relative position of
the body members in relation to one another.

[0012]Advantageously, the body members are able to rotate relative to one
another, and the sensor array is arranged to sense a rotational position
of the body members relative to one another. More advantageously, the
body members define a common axis and are able to rotate about the common
axis relative to one another.

[0013]Advantageously, the body members are able to move axially along the
common axis relative to one another, and the sensor array is arranged to
sense an axial position of the body members relative to one another. More
advantageously, the body members are telescopically disposed along the
common axis.

[0014]Advantageously, the body members are biased towards a null position.

[0015]In a preferred embodiment, the controller further comprises
additional controlling means. In this embodiment, the sensor array is
arranged to sense a state of the at least one controlling means, and the
output is arranged to provide a signal which varies in dependence upon
the sensed state of the at least one controlling means. More preferably,
the controlling means is selected from a group consisting of a button, a
switch, a joystick, and a mousepad.

[0016]Other preferred features of the present invention are set out in the
appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017]An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way
of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0018]FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a game controller in accordance
with one embodiment of the present invention with all elements in a null
position;

[0019]FIG. 2 shows the game controller of FIG. 1 with a left handle in a
leftward position;

[0020]FIG. 3 shows the game controller of FIG. 1 with the left handle in
an upward position;

[0021]FIG. 4 shows the game controller of FIG. 1 in which a right member
extends telescopically from a left member; and

[0022]FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of the game controller of FIG.
1 in use by a player, in which FIG. 5a shows the player holding the game
controller in a null position, FIG. 5b shows the player holding the game
controller in a first position, and FIG. 5c shows the player holding the
game controller in a second position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0023]FIG. 1 shows a game controller 10 in accordance with one embodiment
of the present invention. The game controller 10 may be used to control
game actions or states in an electronic device, personal computer,
dedicated games system, or the like.

[0024]The game controller 10 comprises a left handle 12 and a right handle
14 extending from a game controller body 15. The left handle 12 has first
and second ends 12a and 12b and the right handle 14 has first and second
ends 14a and 14b. The game controller body 15 comprises a left body
member 16 having first and second ends 16a and 16b, and a right body
member 18 having first and second ends 18a and 18b. The left handle 12 is
adapted to be held in a player's left hand, and the right handle 14 is
adapted to be held in the player's right hand.

[0025]In the schematic representation of FIG. 1, the handles 12 and 14 and
the members 16 and 18 are cylindrical. However, it will be appreciated
that alternative forms of handle also fall within the scope of the
present invention. For example, the handles 12 and 14 may comprise
scalloped recesses adapted to receive the player's fingers.

[0026]In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the left and right members 16 and 18
are elongate having coaxial longitudinal axes OO'. The second end 16b of
the left member 16 cooperates with the first end 18a of the right member
18. The left and right members 16 and 18 may be integrally formed.
Alternatively, the left and right members may be moveable with respect to
one another.

[0027]The left and right handles 12 and 14 are elongate having
longitudinal axes PP' and QQ' respectively in FIG. 1. The left handle 12
extends from the left member 16. In particular, the first end 12a of the
left handle 12 is flexibly joined to the left member 16, preferably near
the first end 16a of the left member 16. Similarly, the right handle 14
extends from the right member 18. In particular, the first end 14a of the
right handle 14 is flexibly joined to the right member 18, preferably
near the second end 18b of the right member 18. The first ends 12a and
14a of the left and right handles 12 and 14 may be located within the
left and right member 16 and 18 respectively. The second ends 12b and 14b
of the left and right handles 12 and 14 are free.

[0028]In FIG. 1, the game controller is shown in a null position in which
the elongate handles 12 and 14 extend at right angles from the respective
elongate members 16 and 18. The longitudinal axes PP' and QQ' of the
handles 12 and 14 are parallel in the null position of FIG. 1. In
addition, the axes OO', PP' and QQ' are in the same plane H (i.e. the
plane of the paper).

[0029]The left handle 12 is moveable with respect to the left member 16 in
three ways, as described below.

[0030]Firstly, the left member 12 is able to rotate clockwise and/or
anticlockwise about its longitudinal axis PP', as shown by arrow W in
FIG. 1.

[0031]Secondly, the left member 12 is able to pivot left and/or right
about a pivot point P, as shown by arrow X in FIG. 2. The pivot point P
is located within the left member 16 at or near to the first end 12a of
the left member 12. In FIG. 2, the left handle 12 is shown in a leftward
position in which the free second end 12b of the left handle 12 is
located to the left of its null position of FIG. 1. In this leftward
position, the axes OO', PP' and QQ' are coplanar. Thus, this second type
of movement enables the left handle 12 to pivot about the point P within
plane Π.

[0032]Thirdly, the left member 12 is able to pivot up and/or down about
the pivot point P, as shown by arrow Y in FIG. 3. In FIG. 3, the left
handle 12 is shown in an upward position in which the free second end 12b
of the left handle 12 is located upwards of its null position of FIG. 1.
Thus, the left handle 12 may pivot about the point P within a second
plane Π', where the plane Π' is perpendicular to plane H and
contains the point P. Hence the handles 12 and 14 are each pivotable
about their respective pivot point P and Q in two orthogonal directions.

[0033]The three types of movement of the left handle 12 described above
may occur separately or together. Thus, it is possible to rotate the left
handle 12 to the right about its longitudinal axis PP' whilst also
pivoting the left handle 12 up and to the right about the point P. Other
such combinations are also contemplated.

[0034]The right handle 14 is moveable with respect to the right member 18
in a similar manner to that described above with reference to the left
handle 12 and the left member 16 (i.e. the right handle 14 may rotate
about its longitudinal axis QQ', and may pivot left and/or right and/or
up and/or down about the pivot point Q). Furthermore, the left and right
handles 12 and 14 are moveable independently of one another.

[0035]It will be understood that the pivot points P and Q of the left and
right handles 12 and 14 need not lie on the longitudinal axes of the left
and right handles respectively. Instead, there may be some offset.

[0036]There may be limits imposed on the extent of movement of the handles
12 and 14 in relation to the respective members 16 and 18. For example,
the game controller 10 may only allow the handles 12 and 14 to rotate a
maximum of 45° in either direction about their respective
longitudinal axes PP' and QQ'. Alternatively, the game controller 10 may
be operable to entirely restrict the rotation of one or more of the limbs
about their respective longitudinal axes during use. In the null
position, the handles 12 and 14 are not rotated at all about their
respective longitudinal axes PP' and QQ' (i.e. the angles of rotation are
both 0°). There may also be limits or complete restrictions
imposed on the pivotal movement of the handles 12 and 14 about their
respective pivot points P and Q.

[0037]In a preferred embodiment, the right member 18 is moveable in
relation to the left member 16 in two ways.

[0038]Firstly, the right member 18 is able to rotate about its
longitudinal axis OO' in relation to the left member 16, as shown by
arrow V in FIG. 1. This may be accomplished by the means of the first end
18a of right member 18 being received within the second end 16b of the
left member 16, i.e. a radius of the right member 18 is slightly smaller
than a radius of the left member 16 (or vice versa). Alternatively, a
collar (not shown) could be provided over the second end 16b of the left
member 16 and the first end 18a of the right member 18 such that the left
member 16 is fixed with respect to the collar whilst the right member 18
is rotatable about OO' with respect to the collar. In this embodiment, a
radius of the collar is slightly larger than the radii of the left and
right members 16 and 18. It will be appreciated that the right member 18
could alternatively rotate about an axis other than its longitudinal axis
OO' in relation to the left member 16.

[0039]Secondly, the right member 18 is able to move in an axial direction
(i.e. along OO') with respect to the left member 16, as shown by arrow Z
in FIG. 4. In this embodiment, the radius of the right member 18 may be
smaller than the radius of the left member 16 such that the right member
18 may be telescopically disposed within the left member 16 (or vice
versa).

[0040]The two types of movement of the right member 18 in relation to the
left member 16 described above may occur separately or together. Thus, it
is possible to rotate the right member 18 in one direction about its
longitudinal axis OO' whilst also moving the right member 18 away from
the left member 16 in an axial direction. Other such combinations are
also contemplated. Furthermore, it is also possible to perform the three
handle movements together or separately from the two member movements.

[0041]Again, there may be limits imposed on the extent of movement of the
right member 18 in relation to the left member 16 (e.g. maximum rotation
angle of 45° in either direction). In the null position, the right
member 18 is not rotated at all about its longitudinal axes OO' (i.e. the
angle of rotation is 0°).

[0042]In a preferred embodiment, it is possible to disable one or more of
the three handle movements and the two member movements described above.
Thus, the range of movement types available to a player may be reduced in
some circumstances depending on the exact implementation or operational
state of the controller.

[0043]In a preferred embodiment, the game controller 10 is biased towards
a specified null position, such as the null position of FIG. 1. Thus, in
the absence of any force applied by a player, the game controller 10 will
assume the null position. The game controller 10 may be biased to the
null position by means of spring loading, or the like.

[0044]The game controller 10 further comprises sensors (not shown) to
sense relative positions of the handles 12 and 14 in relation to the game
controller body 15. The game controller 10 then outputs a signal to
control the game based on the sensed relative position of the handles 12
and 14. In a preferred embodiment, the sensors further sense rates of
change of the relative positions of the handles 12 and 14, and the output
signal varies in dependence upon the sensed rates of change. This
embodiment provides additional output data with which to control the
game, thus there are more degrees of freedom of movement or action
available in the game world.

[0045]In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, the sensors sense the relative
positions of the handles 12 and 14 by sensing the relative positions of
(i) the left handle 12 with respect to the left member 16, (ii) the right
handle 14 with respect to the right member 18, and (iii) the left member
16 with respect to the right member 18.

[0046]Any type of sensor that is able to sense relative positions (or
rates of change of relative positions) may be used in the game controller
10. However, two specific types of sensor will be described below for the
purposes of illustration. In the two examples below, the sensors are
described with reference to sensing the rotational position of the left
handle 12 about its longitudinal axis PP', and it is assumed that the
handle 12 may rotate between rotation angles of -α and +α.

[0047]The first type of sensor (type 1) senses whether the left handle 12
is fully rotated to either -α or +α with respect to the left
member 16. The handle 12 has a metal contact that rotates with the handle
12, and the member 16 has two metal contacts located at -α and
+α which are fixed with respect to the member 16 and do not rotate
with the handle 12. Thus, when the handle 12 is rotated to its full
extent in either direction, the metal contact of the handle 12 makes
contact with one metal contact of the member 16 and the game controller
10 outputs an associated signal to control the game. In an alternative
embodiment, further metal contacts could be provided on the member at
-α/2 and +α/2, for example.

[0048]The second type of sensor (type 2) senses how far the left handle 12
is rotated towards either -α or +α with respect to the left
member 16. This sensor comprises a potentiometer on left handle 12 and
left member 16 of the game controller 10. The potentiometer is adapted to
have a variable resistance that varies smoothly from r Q to R Q as the
handle 12 is rotated from -α to +α. At angle 0° (the
null position), the resistance is (r+R)/2Ω. For r<R, as the
handle 12 is rotated towards -α the sensed resistance falls, and as
the handle 12 is rotated towards +α the sensed resistance
increases. Thus, the game controller 10 outputs a signal that corresponds
to the sensed resistance. In this way, the game controller output is able
to differentiate between a small clockwise (or anticlockwise) turn and a
larger clockwise (or anticlockwise) turn.

[0049]It will be appreciated that the two types of sensor described above
could be used to sense other relative positions of the handles 12 and 14
and the members 16 and 18 (i.e. not only the rotational position of the
left handle 12 about its longitudinal axis PP'). In a preferred
embodiment, type 2 sensors are used to sense all relative positions of
the handles 12 and 14 and the member 16 and 18.

[0050]In use, the handles 12 and 14 are gripped by a player. The player
then uses the controller 10 to control a game by moving the handles 12
and 14 and the members 16 and 18 relative to one another within the
limitations of an allowed range of movements. An example of a player 20
using the controller 10 is shown from above in FIG. 5. The player 20
grips the left handle 12 in their left hand and the right handle 14 in
their right hand. FIG. 5 shows the player's left arm 22, right arm 24 and
head 26.

[0051]In FIG. 5a, the controller 10 is held in the null position of FIG.
1. The player's arms 22 and 24 are substantially parallel and they each
extend the same distance in front of the player's head 26. A distance
between the handles 12 and 14 is comparable to the player's
shoulder-width. In an alternative embodiment, a distance between the
handles 12 and 14 is somewhat smaller that the player's shoulder-width so
that a more compact game controller is provided.

[0052]In FIG. 5b, the player 20 has pushed their left arm 22 forwards and
has pulled their right arm 24 backwards so that the player's left arm 22
extends further in front of the player's head 26 than their right arm 24.
The associated handle position (as compared to that of FIG. 5a) will be
sensed by the sensors. In particular, the sensors that sense the position
of the handles 12 and 14 relative to their respective members 16 and 18
will register that the handles 12 and 14 have each pivoted about their
respective pivot points P and Q to assume a rightward position. However,
the handles 12 and 14 and the members 16 and 18 are still coplanar (as in
the null position) so there has been no upward or downward pivoting about
the pivot points P and Q. Furthermore, there has been no substantial
rotation of the handles 12 and 14 about their respective longitudinal
axes PP' and QQ'.

[0053]In FIG. 5c, the player 20 has pulled their left arm 22 backwards and
has pushed their right arm 24 forwards so that the player's left arm 22
does not extend as far in front of the player's head 26 as their right
arm 24. The new handle position (as compared to that of FIG. 5a or 5b)
will be sensed by the sensors. In particular, the sensors that sense the
position of the handles 12 and 14 relative to their respective members 16
and 18 will register that the handles 12 and 14 have each pivoted about
their respective pivot points P and Q to assume a leftward position.
However, the handles 12 and 14 and the members 16 and 18 are still
coplanar (as in the null position) so there has been no upward or
downward pivoting about the pivot points P and Q. Furthermore, there has
again been no substantial rotation of the handles 12 and 14 about their
respective longitudinal axes PP' and QQ'.

[0054]Thus, the game controller 10 senses the relative positions of the
handles 12 and 14. Based on the sensed relative positions, the game
controller 10 is then able to output an associated signal to control the
game.

[0055]As seen in FIGS. 5a to 5c, the elongate game controller body 15
remains approximately parallel to the player's shoulders as the player 20
manipulates the game controller 10. In other words, the game controller
10 reflects movement of the player's shoulders pointing left and right.
Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the controller 10 provides an intuitive
controller to simulate turning left and turning right in the gameworld.

[0056]Alternatively, depending on the game being played, it is envisaged
that the player 20 could simulate walking or running in the gameworld by
moving their arms 22 and 24 between the following Figure positions in
sequence: 5a, 5b, 5a, 5c, 5a, 5b, 5a, 5c, etc. Alternatively, this
sequence of movements could be intended to perform other actions in the
gameworld. Accordingly, a player may expend considerable energy while
using the game controller 10, and the game controller 10 could therefore
be used in conjunction with exercise games.

[0057]In a preferred embodiment, the hand-held game controller 10 is used
in conjunction with a foot controller (not shown) for increased
versatility of movement.

[0058]The game controller 10 is therefore able to provide a gaming
experience similar to virtual reality, and yet the controller 10 may be
manufactured at a relatively low cost.

[0059]In a preferred embodiment, the game controller 10 comprises one or
more buttons which may be pressed by the player 20 to perform a specified
action (e.g. shooting or jumping) in the gameworld. The game controller
may also (or instead) comprise other controlling means such as joysticks
and/or mousepads. Alternative additional controlling means may also be
provided on the game controller 10.

[0060]Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described,
it is to be understood that this is by way of example only and that
various modifications may be contemplated. For example, a controller
according to the present invention could be used to operate a robotic
arm, a surgical device, or any other such piece of equipment.